Royals vs. Guardians Prediction and Odds for Monday, October 3 (Value on Total in Cleveland)

The Cleveland Guardians are playoff bound after clinching the AL Central division, and they have a few more tuneups for the postseason against the Kansas City Royals left on the schedule. 

Young righty Triston McKenzie (11-11, 2.99 ERA) gets the ball for Cleveland against veteran Zack Grienke (4-9, 3.78 ERA). 

The Guardians are major favorites in this game, as the Royals have been one of the worst teams in baseball all season long. 

Where can we find value in this end of season matchup? Let’s take a look at the latest odds: 

Royals vs. Guardians Odds, Run Line and Total

Royals vs. Guardians Prediction and Pick

Even though Grienke’s numbers for the season look fairly average, he’s been solid for K.C. over the last two months. In eight starts since Aug. 1, Greinke has a 2.49 ERA, giving up just 12 earned runs across 43.1 innings pitched.

McKenzie has also been solid over that same stretch, pitching to a 2.61 ERA over his last 11 starts. He’s given up three or fewer earned runs in 10 consecutive outings. 

I’m going to choose to back these pitching staffs, especially since Cleveland has a top-10 bullpen ERA this season. The Guardians will probably come away with the win, as the Royals are just 3-5 over Greinke’s last eight starts, but there isn’t as much value laying the juice on Cleveland’s moneyline. 

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.